03 August 2010

Dangerously Dirty Dozen



We all know that theres a Dirty Dozen List
of the top 12 fruits that should be organically grown.
 Now theres a new Dirty Dozen of Supplements
 containing ingredients that can be toxic to our health.

More below, but first...

Check out this strawberry fusion...
Don't you love when fruit gets sexual...

Remember these? My cherished Bio-K Plus probiotic shots.


I made a pretty fruit and berry bowl for breakfast.


Bananas, prunes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cinnamon and Bio-K.


It's true, I've been having my share of fun incorporating wheat and gluten into my daily routine! I haven't had pain or symptoms of typical intolerance, and although I feel fantastic, I still believe that most of us should be cautious of wheat.

Vegan Bran Muffin from Cascadia Bakery


A few of you mentioned the Placebo Effect of eating wheat and I definitely agree with what you're saying. Yes, part of the reason I can tolerate wheat comes from re-balancing and strengthening my digestive system, and the other part comes from believing I can eat anything in moderation without problems.


Because I ate wheat liberally growing up without an issue, I always felt deprived of something I loved when I developed a sensitivity to it back when my health wasn't in the best place. Being able to eat freely gives me more joy in life than having to be hyper-concious about each ingredient.

MmMm there will be more of these to come my friends !!!


Consumer Reports just launched their
Dirty Dozen List of Dangerous Supplements

If you havent heard about the list, here's the top 12 ingredients you should avoid or use caution when taking any dietary supplements:


1. Aconite
Other names: aconiti tuber, aconitum, radix aconiti
Purported uses: Inflammation, joint pain, wounds, gout
Possible risks: Toxicity, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, respiratory system paralysis, heart rhythm disorders, death

 2. Bitter Orange
Other names: aurantii fructus, citrus aurantium, zhi shi
Purported uses: Weight loss, nasal congestion, allergies
Possible risks: Fainting, heart-rhythm disorders, heart attack, stroke, death

3. Chaparral
Other names: creosote bush, larrea divaricata, larreastat
Purported uses: Colds, weight loss, infections, inflammation, cancer, detoxification
Possible risks: Liver damage, kidney problems


4. Colloidal Silver
Other names: ionic silver, native silver, silver in suspending agent
Purported uses: Fungal and other infections, Lyme disease, rosacea, psoriasis, food poisoning, chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV/AIDS
Possible risks: Bluish skin, mucous membrane discoloration, neurological problems, kidney damage


5. Coltsfoot
Other names: coughwort, farfarae folium leaf, foalswort
Purported uses: Cough, sore throat, laryngitis, bronchitis, asthma
Possible risks: Liver damage, cancer


6. Comfrey
Other names: blackwort, common comfrey, slippery root
Purported uses: Cough, heavy menstrual periods, chest pain, cancer
Possible risks: Liver damage, cancer


7. Country Mallow
Other names: heartleaf, sida cordifolia, silky white mallow
Purported uses: Nasal congestion, allergies, asthma, weight loss, bronchitis
Possible risks: Heart attack, heart arrhythmia, stroke, death


8. Germanium
Other names: Ge, Ge-132, germanium-132
Purported uses: Pain, infections, glaucoma, liver problems, arthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, cancer
Possible risks: Kidney damage, death


9. Greater Celandine
Other names: celandine, chelidonii herba, Chelidonium majus
Purported uses: Upset stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, liver disorders, detoxification, cancer.
Possible risks: Liver damage


10. Kava
Other names: awa, Piper methysticum, kava-kava
Purported uses: Anxiety
Possible risks: Liver damage


11. Lobelia
Other names: asthma weed, Lobelia inflata, pukeweed, vomit wort
Purported uses: Coughing, bronchitis, asthma, smoking cessation
Possible risks: Toxicity; overdose can cause fast heartbeat, very low blood pressure, coma, possibly death


12. Yohimbe
Other names: yohimbine, Corynanthe yohimbi, Corynanthe johimbi
Purported uses: Aphrodisiac, chest pain, diabetic complications, depression; erectile dysfunction
Possible risks: Usual doses can cause high blood pressure, rapid heart rate; high doses can cause severe low blood pressure, heart problems, death

54 comments:

Amy B @ Second City Randomness said... [reply]

Well I'm glad you're enjoying it in moderation. Does this mean it will become a regular occurence in your diet from now on?

Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter said... [reply]

I saw the dirty dozen on the Today Show this morning. I have never heard of any of them which really scares me. I was also surprised to find out that half of adults in the US are on diet supplements. It makes me wonder what exactly is considered a diet supplement.

Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen said... [reply]

That muffin...yum! I am glad you are feeling ok. I am with you that the intestines heal, but if you are intolerant...you know the effects will come back. The up side is that maybe your body was going through something else before and the wheat/gluten upset the problem, so going off did help. I guess time will tell! As for the supplements, I think people use supplements as a crutch. I don't see how popping so many pills randomly is good for you. The core issue...eat right. I do think a daily supplement is good for a little booster, but really all the other stuff gets a little crazy unless you are really going to an alternative medicine doctor that can lead you in the right direction.

Your best advice said... [reply]

thanks for the information, your breakfast looks like 4 of july!

Kris | iheartwellness.com said... [reply]

I am so glad that you feel ok! I found growing up eating so much wheat my tummy always hurt. I cut it out for years, now I can eat it every once in a while and be totally fine!

I did go through the NAET process though to eliminate my allergy. It is cheap, and easy if you want to bring certain foods back in ;)

xxoo

Katie ♥ said... [reply]

Love your berry fruitful breakfast, and yes that strawberry looks sexual as ever!!! lol!!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm the dirty dozen list, I dont know what any of those things are and never heard of them , so I guess Im ok!! yay! lol!

Love you girl, thanks for the info!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said... [reply]

oh the fruit bowl looks heavenly!

I am not a believer in supplements...I just eat food!

Heather (Where's the Beach) said... [reply]

That fruit bowl looks fantastic right now. So glad to hear that you're not suffering any major side-effects. That would have been totally miserable.

Anonymous said... [reply]

Haha sexual fruit lol. I'm glad you are still doing well on wheat. I take one viatmin a day (prenatal) but never a whole bunch of other supps. Too many pills!

Missy said... [reply]

Between the nudie statue from yesterday and the copulating strawberries today, Missy think the gluten is definetely affecting your *ahem* let's just say hormones. (-:

And you know...there was the pregnancy test and gluten baby comment to your mom.....

Kelsey are you feeling a little...*ahem*...fertile? LOL....

Anonymous said... [reply]

Love your breakfast! I adore fresh fruit :)

And I actually use colloidal silver. It is very good for your teeth...so far I have experience no issues.

Kittie said... [reply]

There was only one girl I had ever known with a gluten intolerance until I came to the blog community....it seems to be far more common than I ever knew. Wheat has never been anything that I ever thought twice about.

Kristy Sayer-Jones @ Southern In Law said... [reply]

I'm so jealous of your fruit and berry bowl! I can't wait till summer here - for the moment I've got super limited choices
For the moment it's just strawberries for me!

Glad you're still symptom free - I definitely agree with the believing you can eat anything in moderation.

Anonymous said... [reply]

The same with me. I can eat moderate portions of gluten foods.
Also it is very important to eat organic wheat for.

T. Leah said... [reply]

WOW I can honestly say that I have not heard of a single one of those supplements you listed. I learn a lot from reading your words.

Your fruit bowl looks berry good! it reminds me of a joke I knew when I was little (ok, I admit, a few months ago) Q: What is a ghost's favourite fruit? A: Boo-berries!

Ellen@FirednFabulous said... [reply]

Whoa, that berry bowl looks SO good! I kind of just want to stick my face in it. Mmm...

Pretty Zesty said... [reply]

Great post! That fruit looks delicious too!

Samantha said... [reply]

aww I'm sorry you don't have them. I think I have some extra Justin's Nut Butter single serving packs if you'd like them ;)

Lauren @ Health on the Run said... [reply]

I'm glad you're able to enjoy gluten in moderation without problems. I'm sure it's nice to have some of the restrictions lifted off your eating!

Thanks for sharing that list. I had no idea, and it's kind of scary!! I'm not taking anything right now, but I will definitely be on the lookout if/when I purchase supplements from now on.

Amanda @ . seek . said... [reply]

I'm glad that you're able to enjoy wheat again without experiencing any negative effects, because a life where you don't have to constantly worry about what you're eating is definitely a happier one. I was raw vegan for a long while, then vegan, and now veggie and it's funny because the "healthier" the diet I followed, the unhealthier I was. Now I'm a lot less restrictive with what I eat, and I can honestly say that I feel better than I ever have. Health is definitely way more than just feeding our bodies properly; our minds have to be happy as well :)

Chelsea said... [reply]

Woohoo! I'm so glad you're not experiencing any problems with eating wheat! It must be so nice now to not have to worry about avoiding it!

Thanks for all that info on the supplements. It's crazy to think that stuff we take to help us actually ends up harming us!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Anything in moderation is always good! This was a very informing list. I never knew that all of these supplements could be so harmful. Your fruit bowl looks amaaazing!

-Court

Anonymous said... [reply]

oh my gosh girl.. those berries.. you are MAKING ME WANT SOME RIGHT NOW!!!
That is crazy about those supplements.. who wouldave thought?! love ou girl!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Mmm that muffin looks so good. I WANT IT. :)

And wow that list of supplements...you'd think they were good for you...

Laury@TheFitnessDish said... [reply]

"don't you love it when fruits get sexual"

I just love you....seriously, you crack me up!!!


What great post!!! I knew about bitter orange, but some of the others are new to me! Bitter Orange was the controversy behind Jillain Michaels fat burners (when she sold out and made me sad. I need to spread the word on this, like now!!!

Laury@TheFitnessDish said... [reply]

In fact, I think I will link this to tomorrows post...this is TOO good not to spread the word!!!!

Heather (Heather's Dish) said... [reply]

wow, i had no idea about those supplements! i don't take any of them, but it's definitely good to know!

Lisa @ I'm an Okie said... [reply]

sexual fruit--haha, I LOLed at that one.

I have never heard of those supps, which is good now that I know this :)

Astrid said... [reply]

My giveaway is open to Canadians! Thanks for entering. I love all of this info! I had no idea bitter orange was so dangerous.

Lola said... [reply]

Hi Kelsey!! That berry bowl looks to die for!! and I'm glad you are enjoying some wheat products now :) can't wit for your results!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Wow those berries look SO good! Good luck on the wheat testing!!!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Hey love! I'm so happy that you are still feeling well, and whether or not it is the placebo effect, it doesn't matter! The placebo effect is a measurable result and whatever makes you feel better...it really doesn't matter what exactly it is. It is a good thing to be able to live your life without always having to be careful about what you're putting in your mouth- you can enjoy the moment more if you're not always so worried about it.
Thanks for sharing about the dirty dozen of supplements. I had not heard about this! I don't think I take any of these supplements, but it's good to know for future reference.
And I love your sexual strawberry! It's so interesting when they come out all misshapen like that. love love
xoxoox

Joanne said... [reply]

Phew. I don['t take any of those dietary supplements. Only calcium for me!

That bowl of berries is LUSCIOUS. Gorgeous photos!

Ameena said... [reply]

I find that I can tolerate wheat here and there but for me a build up leads to an inevitable stomach ache. I feel really sorry for those people who can't even tolerate a crumb without getting sick! I'm glad you aren't one of those!

Madeline - Greens and Jeans said... [reply]

I saw them talking about this new "dirty dozen" on the Today Show this morning! I'm so glad to hear that you've been enjoying being a little more "lax" on the gluten!

Monet said... [reply]

I am also happy you are still feeling well...I hope that your tummy stays nice and healthy (or you find out exactly what is causing your problems). I loved that sexual strawberry, by the way...and I appreciated your list of supplements to avoid. I had no idea!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Love the baked goods and fresh fruit for breakfast - yum!

Healthy. Happy. Well. said... [reply]

wow, thanks for the info, I had no idea!

Anonymous said... [reply]

wow i really didn't know about this! gahhhh they're everywhere!

i really hope you'll be able to tolerate the wheat. because you are one huge muffin addict, and you'll have much more options! hahaha :D

Anonymous said... [reply]

Oh Kelsey! Thanks so much for your super sweet post on my guest post! That meant so much to me. :)

Tina said... [reply]

I have never even heard of many of those supplements. Good thing I don't use any sort of supplement. Scary!

Glad you are feeling well, strong, and healthy. :)

Light Delight with Tou Tou said... [reply]

Oh Wow~ what a berry-full meal! That really flares up my appetite :-)
the Probiotic-k looks VERY interesting - I have never see them in the supermarket here. I will try to find it in WF later :-)

Samantha said... [reply]

I don't take supplements--so I don't know anything about them. The only one I heard of is the colloidial silver. I had a student cutting up raw chicken one day and then proceeded to touch his face and mouth and I told him he should really wash his hands and he said it was all good--he'd just go home and eat some colloidial silver. He also informed me he rubs it on his face for acne.--the things kids do and say.

Anonymous said... [reply]

Your berry bowl looks delicious and that muffin - wow.

I have not heard of any of those supplements, and I'm not sure if that is a good or a bad thing!

lequan@luvtoeat said... [reply]

What a gorgeous fruit bowl. Glad you're having fun with the wheat consumption.
Thanks for sharing that list of 12, good to know.

We Are Not Martha said... [reply]

Good to know! I usually take a multi-vitamin and need to check out the ingredients now... The strawberry is so cute!

Sues

Anonymous said... [reply]

Yay for you feeling good!! No more muffin pics your making me hungry!! (:

Anonymous said... [reply]

I want your fruit bowl!! It looks so summery and good!

Thanks for the info Kelsey!

Chef Dennis Littley said... [reply]

what a beautiful bowl of fruit!! your images are just incredible.....glad to hear your eating some wheat, we'll just keep our fingers crossed for now. Thanks for sharing that list of supplements, I heard something on the news and then forgot about it. Take care!

Anonymous said... [reply]

interesting post. i know sometimes i used to use a "sugar addiction" as my excuse for binge eating. i'd try and cut it out completely and then end up bingeing again. i have a little something sweet everyday now and dont binge. funny how that works!

thanks for the info on the supplements. never thought about that.

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said... [reply]

That bowl of fruit is absolutely beautiful!

Thanks for the info about the supplements - I find that kind of stuff very interesting.

Anonymous said... [reply]

I guess I'm safe, since I've never even heard of any of those... ;p

<3 <3

Anonymous said... [reply]

whoa didn't know that dirty dozen thanks for that! and good luck on your wheat journey. i ate 2 pieces the other day of country wheat bread and i won't do it again :( it made my digestion awful! i think i'm breaking up with gluten for good and it's ok because there are so many other wonderful things to eat! i'm pretty convinced that gluten isn't really good for anyone, celiac or not!

Anonymous said... [reply]

This is super good information. I didn't know about those at all!

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